Saturator



Dec. 21 1926,

G. P. G. SCHMIDT SATURATOR Filed July 22. 1921 2 Sheets-Shem. -1

ms 3 is I E I am FJ INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY-5'.

G. P-, G. SCHMIDT Dec. 21 1926.-

2 Sheets-Sheati INVENTOR;

ATTORNEYS.

Patented na. 21, 1112c.

PA ENT 0 FFC- UNITED STATES ermrnnn 2.1a. scnmnar, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

' SATUBATOB.

- Application med M13722, 1921. Serial in. 488,909. r

This invention relates to saturators and is particularly directed to an automatlc dev ce.

.of any attention upon the part of the operator. a

1 Further objects are to provide a saturating apparatus in which the saturating process is repeated throughout a great number of cycles before the liquid is finally withdrawn from the apparatus; to provide such an apparatus in which both the infusion or injection and the drip.or free absor tion of gas maybe simultaneously provi ed; in which the liquid in its passage through the apparatus is effectively cooled and allowed to absorb increased quantities of the gas; in which means are provided for automatically regulatingthe quantity of liquid delivered to the apparatus, in proportion to the, demands" made upon such apparatus for the completely saturated ,liquld; and to provide an apparatus in which absorption is carried on .while the liquid being treated is distributed in a thin film, and is in intimate contact with tempering means.

Further objects are to provide a saturator -in; which provision is made whereby the operator at all times mayinspect the apparatus and be assured of the proper. functioning thereof; in which the air which normally accumulates adjacent the upper portion of these devices may be utilized and withdrawn from the apparatus to operate portions of the mechanism; and to provide such a device in which the circulating liquid is caused to intimately contact in a very thin film with cooling coils.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partial sectional elevation of the complete apparatus.

F'g. 2 is a detail sectional'view of the upper portion of the carbonator.

Fig. 3 is a detail partly in section of the control valve for the clutch.]

Objects of this invention are to provide Fig. 4 is a plan view of the gearing, clutch and driv1ng motor. 4

F1%.' 5 is a sectional view showing the clutc 1n detail.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of the invention.

The apparatus comprises a tank 1 which is provided with dome-shaped top and bottom portions 2 and 3 joined by a. tie rod 4. ThlS tank is completely covered with heat insulatlng material 5. From the bottom of the tank, a pipe 6.extends and is joined to a fitting 7 which serves as a coupling for the circulatory and service pipes hereinafter described This coupling may be provided with a dram valve as indicated in Fig. 1.

From the coupling 7 a pipe'8 extends to a continuously driven centrifugal pump '9. The pump 9 forces the water withdrawn from the bottom through a pipe 10, a

'13 which in turn are provided with two series of nozzles 14 and 15 arranged at different distances from the central portion of the tank. Thesenozzles discharge the water into a drip pan 16, which, as may be seen from Fig. 2, is provided with an inner and outer annular channel 17 and 18. This drip pan is provided with a series of serrations 19 adjacent its upper inner and outer edges for subdividing the water, the contained gas tending to atomize it into is similarly provided adjacent its inner and outer bottom edges with corresponding serrations 20 for further subdividin the water into small streams or drops. .T ese bottom inner and outer serrations are in line with two sets of cooling coils 21 and 22, respectively, the smaller coil within the larger'one. The streams or drops of water from the serrations 20 fall upon these coils and tend to follow them both vertically and in the direction of their downward inclination, the water being thus distributed upon thev coils in a thin film.

\Vater dripping from one turn of either coil will, of course, pass to the next and be distributed thereon. The tendency of the water to distribute in a film upon the coils delays of the tank upwardly muting chamber or sight glass 11 and into the upper portion of the small streams and being positioned respectively so that a refrigerant may be The carbon dioxide is supplied from a suitable source such as indicated at 28 and passes through a control valve 29 and outwardly through anozzle 30 positioned within the fitting 31 which latter joins the pipe 10 and the sight glass 11. This arrangement allows the incoming carbon dioxide to be injected into the flowing liquid and the operator may watch this process through the sight glass 11.. The water and the-carbon dioxide which is partly absorbed thereby, together with the uncombined carbon dioxide, passes upwardly through the pipe 12 and into the drip pan. From this point, the gas that has not been absorbed passes into the tank 1 and the water is finely divided and cooled and subjected, in its finely divided state, to the action of this gas to thereby absorb additional quantities of the gas, due both to its large surface exposure to the gas and to its lower temperatures. The carbonated water may be withdrawn from the apparatus through the pipe 32- which obviously may be provided with a cut oil valve 33 if it is desired. A thermometer 34 may be inserted within the pipe 8 and accurately gives the temperature of the carbonated water inasmuch as it is continuously subjected .to such flowing stream. The height of the liquid within the tank may be indicated by means of a water level glass 35 connected at its lower end to a pipe 36, which in turn joins the fitting 7, and atits upper end to a pipe 38 which passes into the tank 1.

Referring to Fig. 4 it will be seen that an electric or other suitable motor 39 has a di-.

rect connection by means of its shaft 40 wheel 42, friction clutch 43 (see also Fig.

5), shaft'46, pinion 47, gear wheel 48, crank 49, and connecting rod 51, the latter being pivoted to the piston rod 50 as best shown in Fig. 1.

The gear wheel 42 is loose on the shaft 46 and preferably integrally connected with the. outer member or housing of the friction clutch 43. This clutch is illustrated in Fig. 5 as a clutch of the multiple disk type, the alternate disks 44 being in sliding-key connection with the outer member or housing and the intermediate disks having similar sliding-key connection with a sleeve 45 fast on the shaft 46, whereby when the disks are pressed together, as herein explained,

motion will be transmitted from the gear wheel 42 to the shaft 46. The pinion 47 is fast on the shaft 46.

The friction disks of the clutch 43 are normally separated or relieved from pressure upon each other. The pump 43 serves as a feed pump, whereby water 1s supplied to the system. This pump should, therefore,

be operated intermittingly, whereas the rotary-pump 9, should be operated continuously to circulate the liquid and maintain continuous delivery from the drip pans downwardly over the refrigerating coils. The friction clutch 43 will, therefore, have its disks normally separated I or relieved from pressure, whereby the motor may operate continuously to drive the pump 9 in tank 1, the delivery of the gas to theclutch being controlled by a float actuated valve mechanism contained within the easing 52 (Fig. l and Fig. 3).

It is desirable that the means for operating the valve mechanism in the casing 52 be accessible at all times. Therefore, instead of employing ordinary float mechanism within the tank 1 to control the level of the liquid therein through said valve mechanism,I utilize for this purpose an exterior regulator or counterbalanced tank 53 which is supported from a scale beam 58 in a position with its middle portion at a level corresponding with the desired level of the liquid in the tank 1. The tank 53 is provided at its bottom and top, respectively, with flexible ducts 54 and 55. The duct 54 is connected with the pipe 36 through the pipes 56, and the duct 55 is connected with the pipe 38 through the pipe section 57. The flexible ducts or hose pipes 54 and 55 allow substantially free, upward and downward movement of thetank 53 in correspondence withits decreasing or increasing weight, i. e., the weight of the tank and its contents.

The scale beam 58 is fulcrumed at 59 and provided with a counterweight 60. The fulcrum 59 is vertically adjustable, being mounted upon a slide 61 movable along a standard 62 and provided with a slot 61 whereby it may be secured in any desired position of adjustment by a set screw 61; This adjustment is desirable not only to facilitate setting the tank 53 at the proper level in the first instance, but to also permit of readjustments under varying conditions of the liquids and gases to. be treated.

The valve chamber 52 is mounted upon the slide 61. Gas under pressure may be delivered to the housing of the clutch 43 from the tank 1 through the pipes 64, 65, 66, flexible hose or duct 67, valve chamber (Fig. 5). A coupling facilitates d1scon-:

necting pipe 69 when the diaphragm is to be replaced. A cut-off valve may be'em'- ploycd at 71 and, 'if desired, an ordinary blow-oil valve 72 and pressure indicator 73 may be provided at the upper end of the pipe 64, whereby the pressurewithin tank 1 may be ascertained and excess pressures relieved. The valve mechanism disclosed in Fig. 3 not only allows a delivery of gas from tank 1 to actuate the clutch diaphragm, but also provides for the release of the clutch by cutting oft" the further supply of gas from tank 1 and allowing the gas in the diaphragm chamber 69'of the clutch, and in the pipe connections, to escape to the open air when the liquid in the fioat or controllin valve 53 mined welght. 4

When the liquid in the controlling tank 53 falls below the predetermined weight (i. e., the desiredlevel'in tank 1), the counterbalance 60 tilts the scale beam 58 to lift the controlling .tank 53 and simultaneously press downwardly upon the valve stem 74, thereby admitting gas to the diaphragm chamber of the clutch as above explained. The plunger 74 extends into the valve casing 52 to actuate the piston and valve therein. This plunger is pressed upwardly by means of a sprmg 75 having its upper end. seated against an annular collor or flange connected with the valve stem and is provided at its lower end with a needle valve point 76. This needle valve point cooperates with a corresponding seat 77 formed within the port of a ported guide piston" 78. The piston valve 78.is connected by a rod 79 with a check valve 80, which closes upon a valve seat 81 to prevent the passage of gas or air from the chamber 82 to the' chamber 83 of the valve casing andv thereby prevent the passage of gas from the tubing or pipe 67 to the pipe or tubing 68. It is to be noted that in the normal position of this valve 80 as shown in Fig. 3 that the valve 80 is held seated both by the pressure of the gas or air and by the spring 84 so exceeds a predeter-.

by the lever 58, the first step in the operation of the valve is the seating of the valve 76 upon its seat 78, thereby cutting off the communication of the .diaphra chamber of the clutch with. the exterior alr. Further motion of the plunger 74 unseats the valve 80 and allows air (gas or mixed as and air) under pressure to pass from tie pipe 67 to the pipe 68 andthence to the diaphragm 63.

While I have illustrated'insulating covering onl upon the tank 1, it is to be understood that it is .not essential to my invenftion to what extent the insulating covering is used for any portion of the system, the use of insulating coverin s to prevent the transfer of heat through t e walls of chainbers and pipes being well understood. f

The operation of the entire apparatus is as follows: When the valve 29 controlling the.

carbon dioxide is open, such gas passes upchamberll and into the water, the .circu-.

-lating rotary pump 9 beingin continuousop- Water will pass outwardly from the apparatus as the incoming water furnished by the pump 43, if such pump is in operation, is passed first into the inlet pipe 8 of the rotary pump, suitable check valves 86 and 87 wardly .into the sight chamber or mixing' and a controlling valve 88 being provided within this supply pipe. -When "the water level falls below a predetermined point, the counterweight 60 overcomes theweight of the tank 53 and the water, carried therein,

and moves the plunger 74 of the valve 52 downwardly, thereby supplying compressed closing the clutch, that is to say, forcing the friction i disks against each other. This causes the feed pump 43 to operate and such gas from tank 1 to the. diaphragm 63 and operation of thepump continues until the desired water level has again been secured.

At this time, the weight of-the water within the tank 53 overcomes the counterweight and places the diaphragm 63 in communication with the external air. It is to be noted that to guard against sticking of the disks due to defective operation of the diaphragm, a spring 89 is provided which is socketed within the shaft 46 and bears outwardly against the diaphragm, thereby insuring the release of the friction disks. If desired, a sampling spigot 90 may be provided at any suitable part of the apparatus, conveniently communicating with the pipe 56.

Great importance is attached to the provision of means for injecting gas into the water which is being supplied to the'drip .pans 16 and'to the connection of the feed Yumn of water in the p1pes 8 and 10. It will be obvious that water' delivered into the system by the feed pump 43 will be drawn to the mixing chamber.

upwardly in the pipe 8 by thepump 9 and delivered into the tank 1, through the pipe 10, mixing chamber 11 and pipe 12. Therefore, the uncharged feed water Wlll receive an initial charge in the mixingvehamber 11 before it enters the tank 1 and will be sufficiently charged so that it will not very ma- -terially dilute the liquid contents of tank 1.

It will be understood that ,by discharging gas through the nozzle 30, upwardly into the mixing chamber 11, the gas will tend to cause a violent ebullition of water and W111 be thoroughly distributed through the water in- It is possible by this means to charge the water to a point approaching saturation at the temperature prevailing in said chamber. found that complete saturation and particularly complete saturation at low tempera tures cannot be attained in this manner and can only be quickly and economically attained by combining this water charging means in the mixing chamber 11 with the cooperating water charging means and temperature reducing agencies contained Within tank 1. 4

'I have further found by combining the gas charging means associated with the mixing chamber with the co-operating means within the tank 1 it is possible to maintain a supply of substantially uniformly charged liquid in the tank 1- which closely approximates saturation at low temperatures.

In certain cases, it may not be necessary to have the supply pump incorporated in the apparatus. For example, where the city pressure within the water mains is above the pressure used in the main chamber, 1t 1s obvious that an automatically, controlled valve will supply the necessary functions performed by the supply pump as previously described. Fig. 6 shows a form of automatic valve that may be employed under these conditions. It comprises a diaphragm chamber 91 connected by means of the pipe 92 with the pipe 68 previously described. This diaphragm chamber is mounted above a valve 93 which is connected by means of a spindle 94 with a diaphragm mounted within the capsule 91 so that the member.

93 moves downwardly when the pressure builds up above the diaphragm. A spring 95 may be used to return the valve to its seat 96. This valve is placed in the man water supply pipe and occupies the position occupied by the pump 43 shown in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the apparatus herein shown and described is adapted by reason of its insulation and temperating coils 21 and 22 to heat the water instead of cooling it,shoul.d this process be desirable.

But I have While this apparatus has been shown and described as particularly adapted for carbonating the water, it is obvious that it may be employed for saturating an liquid with any desired gas. It is also to e noted that although the system has been described as particularly adapted for the continuous circulation of the liquid and externally of the main tank. that it may be adapted for intermittent circulation of the liquid andsuch circulation may be internally of the tank, that is to say, a pump might be mounted inside of the tank instead of externally thereof to cause the proper. circulation. of liquid and the proper dripping of the liquid over the tempering coils in the presence of the gas.

I claim:

1. A saturator comprising a tank adapted to be partially filled with liquid and provided with a'refrigerating coil, means for causing the liquid to circulate in an ascending column to a portion of the tank above normal level of the liquid therein, a gas supply connection for delivering gas into the ascending column of liquid, and means for subdividing the circulatlng liquid within the upper portion of the tank and exposing it in the form of a film on said refrigerating coil to the action of the gas in said portion of the tank While the liquid is descending to its normal level.

2. A saturator comprising a main tank adapted to be partially-filledwith a liquid, a circulating means for continuously withdrawing the liquid from the lower portion of said tank, means for conducting the liquid from said circulating means to the upper portion of said tank and passing it into the upper portion of said tank in a finely divided state, means for injecting a charging gas within the circulating liquid at a point he tweensaid circulating means and said tank, means adapted to supply additional liquid to said tank. and a conduit connecting said last mentioned means with said circulating means so that the fresh liquid will be intimately mixed with the circulating liquid and the injected charging gas prior to its delivcry to said tank. I

3. A saturator comprising a main tank adapted to be partially filled with" the liqculating stream exteriorly of said tank, and

means for withdrawing tempered charged liquid from the lower portion of said tank, w ereby fresh liquid is first t'em ered and treated prior to its delivery to sai tank.

4.'A saturator comprising a main tank having acentral vertical axis encircled by means for delivering charging gas into the,

ascending column of liquid circulated by the pump, whereby said liquid is partially charged with as in said ascending column and additiona 1y charged by exposure to free gas within the tank while distributed over the surfaces of the refrigerating coil.

5. In a saturator,

ducts for circulating liquid having upward- .ly extending portions, a pump for forcing a gas sup the liquid upwardly in said ducts, ply connection adapted to also deliver gas upwardly in said ducts, an'auxiliary pump for adding to the liquid supply in said ducts,

said auxiliary pump having its outlet connected for liquid delivery to the inlet of the first mentioned pump, a motor connected for continuous operation of the first mentioned pump and having detachable connections for operating the auxiliary pump, means ada ted to be actuated by the pressure of the elivered gas for connecting up the auxiliary pump with said motor, and means for relieving the gas pressure and allowing the auxiliary pump to be disconnected from the motor when the liquid'supply attains a predetermined volume.

6. In a saturator, the combination with a main tank, and means for maintaining a liquid-supply therein,

the coil, a circulating pump the combination with determined level, of a pump having inlet and outlet ducts connected, vrespectively, with the lower and upper portions of said tank, a gas supply duct for delivering gas 'upwardl into the liquid in the pump ducts,

means or distributing and delaylng the liquid returned by the pump to the tank during its descent within the tank to said predetermined level, and means 'for simultaneously refrigeratin said liquid, whereby absorption of additional gas from the upper portion of the tank is promoted.

7 ."In' a saturator, the combination with a main tank provided with a refrigerating coil, an annulardrip panabove said coil, a

duct adapted to discharge liquid into the drip pan to be'distributedto the refrigerating coil, and means for injecting both gas a'ndwater into said duct.

8. In a saturator, the combination with a main tank provided with a refrigerating coil, a liquid distributin device in the u per port1on of said tan adapted todistribute water over the surfaces of the refrig'erating coil, a set of circulation pipes leading from the bottom portion of the tank to the distributingmeans in the upperportion thereof, an impeller pump connecting some of said circulation pipes, a mixing chamber connecting other of said pipes, and a gas injectingnozzle adapted to deliver gas upwardly in the mixing chamber.

9. In a saturator, the combination with a main tank having exterior means for .withdrawing liquid from the lower portion thereof and delivering it to the upper portion, means for injecting gas into the withdrawn liquid before returning it to said tank, a refrigeratorwithin the tank having extended;

heat absorbing surfaces, and means for distributing the returning liquid and gas over said heat absorbing surfaces to retard its downward movement and obtain maximum exlplgsure to the unabsorbed gases within the ta GUNTHER P. G. SCHMIDT.

substantially at a pre- I 

